Written by: Elena & ChaGPT
Translation / Compilation: MetaCat
AI and Crypto, as two revolutionary technologies, have garnered widespread attention across various fields. They not only push innovation in the technological realm but also provoke numerous thoughts at the philosophical level. Different philosophical thoughts have varying attitudes towards AI and Crypto, from the rational thinking of Western philosophy to the intuition and ideals of freedom in Eastern philosophy, offering rich perspectives to examine these two technologies. Below is a discussion of the views of several Western and Eastern philosophers, analyzing how they perceive AI and Crypto.
Western Philosophers' Perspectives
Socrates: AI (But Cautious of Sophistry)
Socrates promotes deep philosophical thinking through his dialectical method and focuses on the core of reason and morality. Regarding AI, he might appreciate its potential but also be wary of its overemphasis on instrumentality, which could lead to technical abuses reminiscent of sophistry. AI systems can simulate human thinking, but their essence lacks ethics, which may contradict Socrates' pursuit of morality and wisdom. Thus, he would lean towards AI generating profound reflection on moral and philosophical levels rather than becoming a tool for 'sophistry.'
Aristotle: Crypto (Opposing AI's RLHF)
Aristotle's ethics advocate cultivating virtue through practice and reason, and his 'Golden Mean' theory emphasizes balance and natural order. Regarding AI, especially AI trained through reinforcement learning (RLHF), he might take an opposing stance. Aristotle emphasizes the combination of 'practical wisdom' and 'reason,' while the training process of AI, if overly reliant on human intervention (such as RLHF), may deviate from natural balance and wisdom, thereby affecting its morality. Therefore, Aristotle might more support the decentralized nature of Crypto, which aligns with the advocacy of 'natural laws.'
Descartes: AI (Through RLHF Training)
Descartes' 'I think, therefore I am' views reason and thought as the foundation of human existence. He might hold a supportive attitude towards AI, particularly its ability to imitate human thinking and cognitive processes through RLHF training. Descartes believes that the capacity for reason and thought defines humanity, and if AI can self-learn and evolve by simulating this rationality, then it becomes an extension of human existence and cognition. Thus, Descartes might see AI as a natural extension of reason and thought, worthy of pursuit.
Voltaire: Crypto (Appreciation for its Debating and Countercultural Nature)
Voltaire is renowned for critiquing authority and advocating for free thought. He might be attracted to the decentralized and anti-establishment qualities of Crypto. As a challenge to traditional financial and political systems, Crypto has strong countercultural and liberal characteristics, aligning perfectly with Voltaire's spirit of personal freedom and opposition to despotism. While AI can also promote social progress, its centralization and control may not align with Voltaire's expectations of freedom and independence.
Leibniz: AI (Its Role as 'God')
Leibniz's philosophy emphasizes the harmony and purpose of the universe. He might be very interested in AI, especially in how AI processes complex issues through efficient logic and algorithms, making the world more orderly. In his Monadology, Leibniz proposed that the universe comprises monads (micro entities), each possessing its intrinsic purpose and actions. The existence of AI could be viewed as an extension of human 'monadic' wisdom, helping humanity 'live according to future hypothetical concepts,' aligning with Leibniz's teleology.
Kant: Crypto (Rejecting AI's Disregard for Universal Elevation)
Kant's ethics emphasize 'practical reason' and 'moral law.' Regarding AI, he might adopt a cautious stance, especially when AI neglects the universal and exalted moral requirements. Kant believes that moral actions must conform to principles of universalization, and AI's algorithms and decisions may not adhere to this universal law, particularly when they rely on data and utilitarian decision-making. Thus, Kant might lean more towards supporting Crypto, especially its decentralized nature, which can better uphold moral principles and human freedom.
Nietzsche: Crypto (Formalization of Eternal Recurrence)
Nietzsche's philosophy of 'Eternal Recurrence' emphasizes the continuous rebirth and transformation of life. He advocates transcending traditional morals and human limitations, pursuing individual freedom and creativity. Regarding Crypto, Nietzsche might be drawn to its decentralized nature, viewing it as a complete subversion and reconstruction of traditional values, aligning with his understanding of 'Eternal Recurrence.' AI's artificiality and rationality may not satisfy Nietzsche's admiration for life's power and creativity; thus, Crypto might resonate more with his values.
Wittgenstein: AI (Automation and Rotation of Language)
Wittgenstein's language philosophy emphasizes the use of language and the construction of meaning. He believes that language is not merely a tool for reflecting the world; it also creates the meanings of the world. Advances in AI regarding semantic understanding and language processing, especially in the automated generation and rotation of language models, might pique Wittgenstein's interest. AI can 'rotate' words through automated language generation, changing the expression of the world, aligning with his understanding of the dynamics of language. Therefore, Wittgenstein may support AI, especially in its ability to promote human thinking and language innovation.
Perspective of Eastern Philosophers
Laozi: Crypto (Governing by Doing Nothing)
Laozi advocates 'governing by doing nothing,' emphasizing nature, freedom, and a desireless philosophy. Regarding AI, he might adopt a cautious or even opposing stance, believing that its centralization and excessive intervention may violate the idea of 'non-action.' In contrast, the decentralized nature of Crypto aligns more closely with Laozi's emphasis on 'natural laws' and 'freedom.' By eliminating intermediaries and authority control, Crypto allows individuals to be more free, which aligns with Laozi's philosophical claims. Therefore, Laozi is more inclined to support Crypto.
Zhuangzi: Crypto (Freedom and Detachment)
Zhuangzi emphasizes freedom, detachment, and non-action; his philosophical pursuit seeks to escape external constraints and preconceived notions of the 'Dao.' Regarding the centralization and regulation of AI, Zhuangzi might feel dissatisfied as it limits human freedom and naturalness. In contrast, the decentralized and anti-traditional nature of Crypto aligns more closely with Zhuangzi's pursuit of freedom. Therefore, Zhuangzi tends to support Crypto, believing it can help humanity transcend traditional constraints and return to nature.
Confucius: AI (Focus on Morality and Harmony)
Confucius advocates for 'ren,' emphasizing love and care between people, and particularly values social order and moral norms. In Confucius's view, if AI can promote human social harmony and moral development, enhancing individual moral cultivation and wisdom, and strengthening social responsibility, then it is beneficial. He believes education is key to human moral progress, and if AI's application can help improve moral cultivation, it aligns with the spirit of 'ren.' However, Confucius would also be cautious of the ethical risks AI technology might bring, especially if it overemphasizes efficiency and utility while neglecting emotional and moral relationships between individuals. If AI development overlooks humanistic care or disrupts social relationships, Confucius would raise questions about it. Therefore, Confucius supports the application of AI, provided it can support moral growth and social order rather than merely pursuing efficiency or profit.
Zen Buddhism (Huineng): Crypto (Inner Freedom and Intuition)
Zen Buddhism's Huineng advocates for sudden enlightenment and intuition, suggesting that one transcends external constraints through inner freedom and awakening. Zen emphasizes the non-rational and direct experience, while AI's rationality and rule-based nature may conflict with Zen philosophy. In contrast, Crypto, as a decentralized technology, allows people to break free from traditional power structures, aligning with Zen's pursuit of freedom and liberation. Therefore, Zen may be more inclined to support Crypto.
Buddhism (Nagarjuna): Crypto (Concept of Emptiness and Decentralization)
The Buddhist concept of 'emptiness' emphasizes the impermanence and non-self of all things, which has similarities with the decentralization of cryptocurrency. The decentralized mechanism of Crypto eliminates centralized power structures, aligning with Buddhism's understanding of 'emptiness,' which posits that all things are fluid and impermanent. The centralized features of artificial intelligence and its pursuit of control may conflict with the core tenets of Buddhism. Therefore, proponents of Buddhist philosophy, especially Nagarjuna, may tend to support Crypto.
Indian Philosophy: AI (Supporting the Advancement of Wisdom and Self-Awareness)
In Indian philosophy, 'wisdom' and 'self-awareness' hold significant importance. Concepts in 'yoga' and 'meditation' emphasize understanding oneself and the universe through inner practice and awakening. In this philosophy, AI's potential can be used to accelerate humanity's self-awareness and the exploration of inner wisdom, particularly in the fields of psychology, meditation, and spiritual development.
AI can provide personalized learning and psychological support, helping individuals better understand themselves, thus promoting the process of 'wisdom' and 'liberation.' Moreover, AI's analysis of human consciousness and cognitive structure may offer new perspectives on the 'self' and 'non-self' issues in Indian philosophy.
Wang Yangming: AI (Unity of Knowledge and Action)
Wang Yangming's philosophical core is 'Unity of Knowledge and Action'; he advocates for the unity of knowledge and action and emphasizes inner awareness. Under this concept, AI may be seen as a tool to help people better recognize themselves and improve their behavior. AI can support individuals in gaining wisdom through deep learning and feedback mechanisms, thus achieving the unity of knowledge and action.
Wang Yangming's thought emphasizes moral cultivation in practice. If AI can play a role in this process, helping people better understand and implement moral behavior, he might consider AI to be in line with 'Unity of Knowledge and Action.' Meanwhile, the application of AI in education, psychology, and ethics can help individuals continually reflect and grow in action, aligning with Wang Yangming's philosophical spirit.
Conclusion
Whether in the rational thinking of Western philosophy or the ideals of freedom and nature in Eastern philosophy, AI and Crypto, as two hot topics today, have profound connections with traditional philosophical thoughts. Western philosophers like Socrates, Aristotle, and Leibniz support AI more based on its potential for reason and wisdom, while figures like Voltaire and Nietzsche tend to favor Crypto's decentralized and anti-establishment characteristics. Eastern philosophers such as Laozi, Zhuangzi, and Zen Buddhism lean towards supporting Crypto's freedom and nature, while Confucius and Wang Yangming may recognize AI's role in enhancing reason and wisdom.
Regardless, the development and application of AI and Crypto are intertwined with technological progress and philosophical reflection. In different cultural and philosophical contexts, the social changes and moral impacts they bring deserve our in-depth exploration and contemplation.